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Shipping a car today has never been easier. Just call your favorite shipping company and they will take care of the rest. However, there are some things that you can do to make the experience even easier. If you’ve never shipped a car before, or you do it all the time, you may learn a few things to prepare you for your next shipment. We break down the best steps to prepare your car for shipping.

1 Organize Your Documents

Nobody likes scrambling at the last minute. To help prepare your car for shipping, first you must prepare yourself. Gett these important documents in order to save time later.

• Vehicle registration
• Proof of Insurance
• Bill of Sale or other Proof of Ownership
• Original title
• Your state-issued ID

2 Clean Your Car

This may seem like a waste of time, especially if you choose open transport. Your car will arrive at the destination with a healthy layer of dirt, so why wash your car before you ship it? When you wash your car, you can get a good look at any scratches and dings that already exist. This will speed up the initial inspection when the driver picks up your car. This will also make it exponentially easier for you to see if there are any new issues when your car arrives.

3 Take some Pictures

It’s unlikely your car will get damaged in the shipping process. However, to add peace of mind, it’s a good idea to take some pictures of your car. This is perfect right after you wash your car. Take a picture of all four corners of your car, and a couple more from the front and rear. Then take any pictures of preexisting damage, the odometer, and anything else you’d like to capture. The key here is to make sure you have a camera that puts the date on the photo. It’s no use noting anything if you can’t prove it was like this before you shipped your car.

4 Remove Personal Items

The back of a shipping trailer is a bumpy ride. Spare change in the cupholder could very well jostle loose and scratch the windshield. Additionally, items inside your vehicle are not covered under any insurance. You’re going to want to make sure the car is as empty as the day you got it. Remove any charging cables, chapstick, junk, GPS devices, sunglasses, and bulky items. Many people who are moving may think they can pack a few boxes in the trunk to save room in the moving van, don’t. You don’t want your car to arrive with a box of broken dishes.

5 Perform any Maintenance

The best thing to prepare your car for shipping is to get a quick tune-up before you ship your car. Even if your car isn’t in working order, there are some things you need to take care of. Make sure your car isn’t leaking any liquids, as this could cost you a ton in damage. Additionally, make sure your tire pressure is good, your battery is fully charged, and your anti-freeze is topped off.

6 Empty your Gas Tank.

Don’t top off all your fluids. You won’t need any gas for your shipment, and gas can add a ton of weight to your car. The rule of thumb with car shipping is that the heavier the car, the more expensive it is to ship. It is recommended to keep your tank at a quarter full. That way, you have enough to drive it on and off your transport truck and to the gas station when it arrives.

7 Remove Outside Accessories

The clearance of a shipping trailer is pretty tight. Some protruding accessories may be susceptible to damage if you’re not careful. This includes any ski and bike racks, retractable antennas, and custom spoilers.

8 Get a Spare Key

Your shipping driver will need a key for your car. They will drive the car on and off the trailer. Presuming your car can start, giving them a key will help the process and avoid any unnecessary loading fees. It’s a good idea to give them the spare key and keep the original for yourself.

9 Prepare Your Car for Shipping by Calling a Reputable Car shipper

With these simple steps, you can make sure your shipment goes off without a hitch. When you prepare your car for shipping it will help save you time in the long run. It may even help save you money. If you do all of these things, your driver will thank you, and if anything goes wrong during shipping, you’ll be glad you did.

For a reputable car shipper, call Denver Car Shipping today. They have been shipping cars for the better half of two decades. They know exactly what needs to get done. Their knowledgeable team can tell you everything you need to do to get your car ready. With industry leading insurance included right there in the quote, and a team of live customer service reps to help, you can’t go wrong. Give them a call today and see how easy it is to ship a car.